Howard Marion Chase

July 12, 1938 - May 5, 2022

Howard Marion Chase, age 83, passed away on May 5, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. He was born to Cecil Marion and Erma Zella Chase on July 12, 1938, in Eugene, Oregon. He married Shelby J. Williams on February 18, 1971, and they would remain married until his death. Shelby J. Chase, spouse, and their daughter, Christy L. Herndon and husband Robert C. Herndon, stepdaughter, Brenda J. Schnurbusch, grandchildren Alexis B. Llamas and Dustin Schnurbusch, and brother Gerald Chase of Phoenix, Arizona are all surviving family members. Howard leaves his loved ones with unforgettable memories and loving stories. He will be sincerely missed by his loving family, devoted friends and all the dedicated physicians, nurses, Chaplains, and the multiple caregivers at Methodist Dallas Hospital in Dallas, Texas that rendered his care until the last breath he took. Howard M. Chase graduated high school from Springfield High School in Springfield, Oregon in 1955. He then attended Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. During his time at Lewis & Clark College, he was Class President his sophomore year. He was an active member in the Fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon. In 1959, he was ASLC President on the Executive Board at Lewis & Clark College. He graduated with honors from Lewis & Clark College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1959. He then furthered his education and attended the University of Minnesota located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He received his Master’s in Hospital Administration Degree in 1966. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with high honors and received the American Surgical Trades Association Award for the highest grades in public health courses and achieved the second highest grades in his graduating class. He began his healthcare career at Emanual Hospital in Portland, Oregon as Personal Director from 1959-1964. He then became Administrative Assistant in 1964 at Physician and Surgeons Hospital in Portland Oregon. In 1965, he began his Administrative Residency at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas which was a 1200-bed teaching hospital. During his time from 1966-1980 at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, he served several Executive positions. In 1980, he became President and CEO of Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center in Topeka, Kansas. During his tenure at Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center, he served as President and CEO of Stormont-Vail Health Services Corporation, Chairman of Stormont-Vail Enterprises, President of the Executive Committee of the Stormont-Vail Foundation, and Chairman of Stormont-Vail Services, Inc. He served as Board member of all these positions. In addition, while in Topeka, Kansas, from 1985-1988 he was appointed by the Governor of Kansas as Chairman of the entity which administered $16 million annually in federal job training funds. From 1984-1988, he was Board Member of the Kansas Employers’ Coalition on Health. From 1991-1994, he was Board of Governors for the Kansas Healthcare Insurance Stabilization Fund. In 1994, he served on the Kansas Council on School to Work Training, which he was appointed by the Governor of Kansas to a commission charged with the development of employment training for non-college bound students. From 1992-1993, he served on the Kansas, Inc. Long-Range Planning Committee, which he was appointed by the Governor of Kansas to this committee charged with developing recommendations for economic development of the State in the 21st century. From 1995-1996, he was Kansas Commissioner of Insurance Advisory Committee and was appointed by the Commissioner to a Task Force charged with developing health care reform legislation. He served as Preceptorships for Graduate Students in Healthcare Administration over several college institutions including Washington University, University of Alabama, Trinity University, University of Kansas, and University of Minnesota. He also served on the Advisory Committee Appointments for Emporia State University in the School of Business, University of Kansas in the School of Pharmacy, and the University of Kansas in the Healthcare Administration Program. From 1980 to 1996, he was involved with Senators Bob Dole and Nancy Kassebaum and all Kansas Congresspersons with federal and state officials regarding health care issues. He, as CEO and President, focused and devoted his time on finding new approaches to healthcare in a less costly way and believed the way to achieve this goal was through an integrated approach involving health and human service agencies. He secured $1,500,000 for the Robert Wood Johnson (RWJ) grant for the rural healthcare project under the Community Programs for Affordable Health Care Program. Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center was the only hospital in the United States that received funds under this program for a rural health project. In July 1980, he immediately saw the opportunities a facility like the Pozez Education Center would afford Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center and set about raising over $3,000,000 for its construction within a year of his arrival. The hospital strengthened its prominence in the field of health education with the completion of Pozez Education Center which was built in 1983. The Pozez Education Center provided new quarters for the Stormont-Vail School of Nursing, which had been formerly housed 7 blocks away from Stormont-Vail. He was quoted stating, “The Pozez Education Center signifies the growth and development of the hospital’s role in educating allied health personnel.” He was further quoted stating, “Changes in the healthcare field are occurring more rapidly during the decade of the ‘80s than at any other time in history. It is a time of tremendous challenge and opportunity, but it also involves taking new risks. Stormont-Vail is no longer a hospital-it is a healthcare institution, a hospital ‘without walls,’ serving Kansans not only when they need to be hospitalized but working with them in their communities to keep them well. I know that Stormont-Vail will continue to be at the forefront of change. Our greatest resource is our people. Their technical expertise, their creativity, and their genuine concern for their fellow man are factors which will ensure that Stormont-Vail will continue to thrive and excel as she enters her second century.” During his tenure at Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center, he was also responsible for expanding Stormont-Vail from a single hospital entity into a region-wide organization involving six hospitals, pharmacies, physicians, clinics, and a home health organization. He solidified regional referrals which helped enable healthcare to continue to be provided in communities which otherwise would have lost that capability. He developed joint programs with a competitor organization. He took the lead in the formation of joint air ambulance program, MRI Center, Child Care Center, Family Practice Residency Program, public health fair programs on a joint basis with St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center. Stormont-Vail became the VHA Shareholder for a statewide network involving 35 affiliate organizations, which helped assist in developing a statewide healthcare delivery program. He successfully achieved an integrated network with physicians. He took the leadership role locally in achieving a countywide health assessment involving 35 healthcare providers and human service agencies. In doing so, he secured an $85,000 foundation grant to fund this effort. In November 1996, he became President and CEO of Methodist Health System. During his tenure at Methodist Health System, he oversaw construction and expansions of the Heart Center, a new Emergency Department, new Medical Education Space, new Foundation, and administrative support offices of the Methodist Dallas Medical Center Campus. He oversaw construction and expansion of the Cancer Center, Physician Office Building, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center, and expanded the Obstetrics Center at Methodist Charlton Medical Center. He added centers for bariatric surgery, liver transplants, sinus surgery, hyperbaric wound care, and diabetes prevention. He expanded both the OB/GYN and General Surgery Teaching Programs. He added Methodist Charlton Medical Center as a site for administrative residency experience. He ended his career as President and CEO of Methodist Health Systems after Methodist Mansfield was constructed and completed. He is quoted at Methodist Health Systems stating, “The only responsibility of a CEO is to help enable the organization to achieve its goals and mission-not alone, but as a servant leader.”. During his tenure at Methodist Health Systems, he won the Hospital Council’s Boone Powell, Sr. Award for Excellence. He was Board of Directors of several organizations. From 1996-2003, he was Board of Directors for the North Texas Health Alliance. From 1996-2006, he was Board of Directors for the Dallas Citizen’s Council. From 1998-2002, he was Board of Directors of the Boy Scouts of America, Dallas Chapter. From 2003-2006, he was Board of Directors for the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce. Words will never be able to express the love my family has for Angel Hands Hospice and specifically Travis Masters, RN. Thank you, Travis Masters, for the care and friendship you gave Howard during his time of need. YOU made a difference in Howard’s life. Howard stated, “Travis is a man that serves others.” Blessings to you and everyone at Angel Hands Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to First Presbyterian Church of Dallas located at 1835 Young St., Dallas, TX 75201. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Restland Funeral Home - 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas, Texas 75243. His Celebration of Life will take place on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 2:00pm at First Presbyterian Church of Dallas - 1835 Young St., Dallas, Texas 75201. Funeral arrangements for Howard Marion Chase have been faithfully entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park.